A/N Hayama reminds me so much of Kise. It's ridiculous.

Timeline: One year after the end of Prince of Tennis (that includes all the U-17 shenanigans that will be completely glossed over except for the occasional mention of some high schoolers and some tennis moves that the characters learned during that time) when all the third-years are in their first year of high school, after Inter High but before Winter Cup, at the start of season 2 (this story will be going through Winter Cup)

Warnings: Fem!Ryoma, Fem!Kuroko, Nice!Akashi, Akashi and Kuroko as cousins, somewhat altered timeline (due to gender switches and all), dark themes (like with all my stories), BS tennis and basketball moves, potential (extreme) OOCness, cussing, SomewhatOverprotective!GOM, eventual and inevitable GOM/multiple other characters bashing, obvious partiality to multiple other characters

THIS STORY TAKES SOME INSPIRATION FROM PRINCESS OF MIRACLES AND THE ICE PRINCESS OF RIKKAIDAI by Starian NightZz (you guys should read those stories if you haven't yet). If you see some similarities, please note that this is why, and that I will try my best to come up with original ideas.

And sorry that this is a bit late, but this story only follows the anime. I have not read the manga, and will not search through it for everything I need to make this story as canon as possible, so just a (belated) little warning.

And another really late note: sorry for not mentioning this way earlier, but I have found that I am also drawing inspiration from the crossover fic A Friendship Of Sorts by herondalefan. Maybe some of you have noticed, maybe you haven't. Sorry for not mentioning this earlier! (But seriously, if you guys are still reading this fic, you'd love this crossover fic. It's ridiculously well-written!)

Another late addition to the plethora of permanent A/N stuff: if it's not already obvious, I have taken A LOT of inspiration from many different fics and fused those ideas with some original ones of my own. If I'm to be honest, naming all of the fics that inspired me would be a pain for both you and me. To not waste both your and my time, I'd just like to ask that if you guys think that my fic parallels a bit too closely to another fic that you've read before, or one that you have written, or that if you think that I have outright stolen an idea, either leave a scathing review or PM me. (though you guys are all really sweet about my fic-I swear, I haven't gotten a single hate review or flamer yet, so props to you guys XD)

Disclaimer: Neither Prince of Tennis nor Kuroko no Basuke belong to me.

Thirty Sixth: Snakes

As of right now, Takao is just barely holding onto to his seemingly endless patience by the skin of his teeth. While Shin-chan's reticence about his knowledge of Akashi and where he had disappeared to right before the meeting in the locker room is plenty annoying, the thing that's currently dragging his mind through his ass is this situation with Tetsu-chan.

He doesn't know "Ryoma-chan" or "Akutsu-san," but if he ever does get to know them, he'll whoop their asses so hard they won't even be able to eat through a straw; that's how messed up they'll be.

Of course, this sentiment is completely based upon the fact that he had been woken up by Tetsu-chan at five in the morning or some other ungodly hour while he'd been trying to get some rest before he has to face off against her ex-captain. He had been ready to flay her alive with his words (a groggy Takao denied his right to sleep is a Takao that nobody wants to see) when she sobbed loudly into the speakers and Takao was immediately awake and alert.

It didn't take long to extract the events of last night from he, and even though he has no idea who "Ryoma-chan" and "Akutsu-san" are, he tried his best to comfort her, cracking as many jokes about the questionable virtue about Akutsu-san's mother and a donkey or something ridiculous like that in hopes of getting her to laugh. She ended up laughing, if only because she was just as tired as he had been earlier, apparently having only gotten home a couple minutes ago after Aomine, of all people, dropped her off at her apartment.

Eventually she had fallen asleep in between jokes, which was pretty fortunate because Takao had been very close to running out of them. Takao hung up, burrowed deeper into his covers, and resolved to shake the identities of the two people who had caused a blubbering mess of a meltdown out of Tetsu-chan, but only after Shutoku wins against Rakuzan.

He'd have to apologize for beating Akashi before she could, but, well. Seeing the expression on the smug bastard's face would be completely worth it.

Personally, Takao doesn't have anything against Akashi. Besides the fact that they both play the same positions, Takao's never had a connection with him-besides Tetsu-chan, anyways. He does, however, know people who hold very personal grudges against Akashi, and in all honesty, this is the guy who manned the team that made Takao want to kill himself.

It's no wonder that Takao wouldn't mind seeing him shoulders deep in the floor of a basketball court. Or asphalt. Right in front of a thirty-floor building.

Okay...so maybe that's a bit dark.

Takao keeps to himself as he dresses, ignoring the concerned looks thrown his way by his teammates. He feels slightly guilty that he's worrying them, but then he thinks about Tetsu-chan crying all alone in an apartment that her parents never come back to, and then Akashi Seijūrō, who's pretty much the harbinger of every bad thing that has ever happened to a teenage basketball player in Japan, and he can't bring himself to laugh at the things he would normally be laughing at.

He does manage a smile when Miyaji-senpai gives Shin-chan hell for being second-ranked in the horoscope today.

After a blood bumping cheer, Otsubo-senpai leads Shutoku out of the locker room and towards the courts. Takao can hear the deafening cheering, and he hopes that Tetsu-chan's sitting somewhere in those stands, watching as Shutoku absolutely crushes Rakuzan in the semi-finals.

"It's the qualifying veterans eleven years straight!"

"The king of veterans, Shutoku High School!"

Takao grins, heart beating fast as he walks among the regulars of a legendary basketball school. Sometimes, it fully sinks in, the fact that he's part of a team that's rich in basketball history. That he's a regular on that team. That he's partners, that he's friends with one of the Generation of Miracles, a team that'll go down in history as one of the most amazing-and one of the most monstrous.

"And here they come!"

"The strongest high school..."

"The emperor since the beginning of time..."

"Rakuzan High School!"

Even on opposite sides of the courts, Takao can see and hear them perfectly care. Akashi's fuchsia-colored hair is a big part of the former. He doesn't recognize the other members of Rakuzan's team, though he remembers from Otsubo-senpai's briefing yesterday that except for Akashi, all of Rakuzan's regulars are Crownless Generals. With Kiyoshi and Hanamiya being part of different schools, these three must be Mibuchi Reo, Hayama Kotaro, and Nebuya Eikichi.

"I overate..." Takao's eyes slant towards the owner of the loud, rumbling voice-a heavily muscled, dark-skinned regular who's sporting a goatee and a thin lining of hair on top of his jawline. He rubs at his neck, stretching out his shoulders.

"You're filthy!" Another teen with pale skin and very feminine features exclaims, shying away from his (her? It's really hard to tell) teammate. "What's with binge eating right before the game?"

The muscled one pauses in his neck rubbing, glancing over at the pretty boy. "I get more power when I eat meat."

"Still, look!" The last general interrupts, green eyes wide and bright, far too reminiscent of another blonde who likes to cling to Tetsu-chan with the ferocity of an octopus lovingly strangling its prey. "Those guys! They're badass!"

He points directly at Shutoku, although the finger seems mostly directed at Shin-chan, who sits silently besides Takao, clutching to his shogi piece tightly.

"You're so noisy," the pretty boy bemoans.

"They really look strong!" the blonde shouts, rocking from side to side. Takao swears that there are sparkles in his eyes. "So badass!" He whirls around, glancing back at Akashi, the only one sitting at the bench. "Right, Akashi?"

"Yes. They are strong." Akashi's voice is smooth, matter-of-fact. Through the milling bodies in between the Skutoku and Rakuzan benches, Takao can just make out Akashi's hands tying his shoelaces.

"Sei-chan, you're starting?"

"I have the coach's approval."

The blonde cheers unintelligibly, pumping both fists into the air.

The muscled one rolls his shoulders, tilting his head from side to side with audible (and extremely loud) pops. "That's good news. Our opponents till now have been way too easy. Wish I'd eaten more."

A vibrating sound draws everyone's attention back to Akashi, who slips his hand into the pocket of the jacket he had just shucked off. Most players leave their phones in their lockers, since it's not like they'll be needing them in during breaks, and devices are less likely to be stolen when locked up. Then again, Akashi isn't "most players," and from what he's heard and deduced, Akashi isn't one to follow conventions either.

He checks whatever pops up on his phone screen, and Takao raises an eyebrow at the first discernibly genuine expression on Akashi's face: a slight purse of the lips and furrowing of the brow. The moment passes, and Akashi's face smooths out, his phone disappearing back into his jacket pocket.

Takao wonders who had caused such an expression from Akashi Seijūrō himself.

Akashi's teammates seem interested in this development as well. The pretty boy and blonde exchange looks before the former says in a not very convincing casual tone, "So, Sei-chan...who was that?"

Akashi gives him a very dry look before smoothly answering, "Just some business I have to take care of after the match."

The blonde grins slyly, nudging Akashi's jacket. "Really? Because I could've sworn I saw something completely different. Oh, I don't know-maybe Ryoma letting you know that she's not going to be here to watch us playing this match?"

Takao blinks, feeling as if he's suddenly been submerged in a bucket of ice water. Ryoma. Tetsu-chan had been talking about a "Ryoma-chan" yesterday night, blubbering her name in between apologies about things that Takao didn't, and still doesn't, understand. All he knows is that this "Ryoma-chan" is the reason Tetsu-chan had been crying.

It's too much of a coincidence. There's no way that this is the same Ryoma...right? Besides, Ryoma is a boy's name. Tetsu-chan follows the rules of honorifics down to a T-she'll never call a boy with the honorific -chan attached to the end of his name. Maybe they're two different Ryoma's.

"...ask Tetsuya what happened to her," Akashi is saying when Takao tunes back in, and while Takao is missing a lot of information, he highly doubts that the two Miracles are talking about different Ryoma's now.

The conversation moves on, and Takao groans, tightening the laces on his shoes even though they're already tight enough. Who is this "Ryoma-chan," and how in the world does she know the regulars of Rakuzan so closely?

"Takao?"

He quickly whips his head up, meeting Otsubo-senpai's eyes. His face is as serious as ever, but Takao knows his captain well enough to discern the concern in his eyes. Takao exhales, setting his foot back on the ground. "They're a strong team."

Otsubo-senpai nods gravely, glancing back towards Rakuzan's bench. "There's no doubting that."

"I though they'd be a lot less...companionable. But they're acting pretty normally." That's true. Takao hadn't particularly expected much teamwork when it comes to Rakuzan. Especially considering Otsubo-senpai's debriefing yesterday, Takao had expected to be playing against a much quieter Touou.

He certainly hadn't expected the banter and teasing going on over there.

A burst of pain originates from Miyaji-senpai's hand slapping the back of his head, and then he's snapping, "What're you saying? I'll fry you! If anything, they're abnormal."

Takao rubs the back of his head, looking back at Rakuzan. He can't see anything abnormal. Except for maybe the fact that Akashi's texting someone a couple minutes before a game when he should be talking to his team.

"Akashi's wearing number four, which means that he's captain. Normally, a first year never could be, no matter how good he is. What's even more abnormal is that the entire team, including the bench, shows no sign of discontent."

"And that includes the Uncrowned Kings," Kimura-senpai adds. "Each of them is quite a stickler, full of pride. And all of them are accepting of this. For those in the know, it's nothing but abnormal. At least...you wouldn't call someone who can make others so naturally subservient normal."

A shiver runs through Takao, even as the two teams stand to walk onto court. The game is about to start.

Shin-chan and Akashi meet in the center of the court. Takao's teammate pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose with taped fingers, gazing down at Akashi from his loftier vantage point. Despite the height difference, Akashi doesn't look any smaller than Shin-chan. "I'll get this win, Akashi."

"That's impossible, Shintaro" Akashi's voice is the smoothest, coldest one Takao has ever heard-disturbingly calm and unshakeable. "Have you ever had me resign even once?"

"Shogi and basketball are different."

"They're the same," Akashi disagrees, eyes slanted. Takao can just barely make out the two different colors-when the same bright reddish, pinkish color of his hair, the other a pale orange. "I have not once in my life said anything in error." His eyelids raise slightly, irises glinting tauntingly up at Shin-chan. "I win in everything, and everything I say is correct."

Crazy. The bastard is absolutely crazy.

"The Winter Cup's first semi-final game between Rakuzan and Shutoku will now begin! Bow!"

Takao tilts his head down, surreptitiously looking up at the person standing across from him. Silver hair, pale skin, frail body. The boy reminds him a lot of Tetsu-chan, straight down to the expressionless face he sports.

"Let's have a good game!"

The tip off starts off, and the ball is hit towards Takao. He grabs hold of it, fueled by adrenaline and his team's encouraging shouts of, "All right!"

This is good. They're starting off well.

Takao turns, and he catches sight of the closer Rakuzan players moving toward him. His face splits into a wide grin, and he laughs, "Just kidding!"

With a flick of the wrist, he tosses the ball behind him, where Shin-chan catches it.

"Everything you say is correct?" Shin-chan's words are softer than his speaking voice, but Takao's sure that Akashi can hear them as his muscles coil in preparation. "Don't make me laugh, Akashi. Someone who's only seen victory shouldn't talk like they know it all."

He jumps up, the ball shooting out from his fingers to soar in an arc up, up, and into the basket. All net.

Perfect. As always.

"Bring it on, Akashi. I'll teach you like I promised...about defeat."

Takao can't smother a giddy grin. I really hope that you're watching this, Tetsu-chan, that you're listening. You did this. You changed him. That was all you, speaking through him.

Akashi's lips pull up into a mockery of a smile, eyes glinting in the light. "I look forward to it."

Takao starts with the ball, dribbling it by his side while he keeps an eye on his surroundings. Akashi marks him, his narrow eyes raising goosebumps on Takao's arms despite the warm temperature of the stadium, a result of packing hundreds of spectators into the stands. With his Eagle Eye, he watches as Shin-chan dodges his mark, the pretty boy, and Kimura-senpai screens the Rakuzan shooting guard. The blonde is running to intercept, but he won't reach in time. Takao immediately whips the ball towards Shin-chan, who's already in the air. Once again, the ball sinks in without once touching the rim of the hoop.

The next few plays are successful, and the audience is roaring in excitement.

"Not a hint of grazing the ring!"

"It's like we're watching a precision machine!"

The ball goes out-of-bounds on Takao, and Akashi has the ball now. Takao's lips are twisted wryly as he guards Akashi, watching every movement from the player in front of him and the ones behind. Nothing less than expected from him...look at that aura. Akashi's exuding tremendous pressure without even moving a single foot. Hard to believe that he's a first year just like me. Takao takes a deep breath, holds it for three seconds. Exhales. He can feel Akashi's burning gaze needling at his skin. It's distracting as all hell. Concentrate. Concentrate, concentrate, concentrate.

Akashi shifts, and Takao moves to block when he suddenly breaks to Takao's right. He immediately recoils, backtracking. So fast! But...

Takao turns, matching Akashi step for step, pushing him towards the edge. He doesn't have much time to feel triumphant as Akashi suddenly stops, slipping to the side and setting up for a three-pointer. Takao immediately tries to stop as well, leaping towards Akashi to block the shot when the ball is lobbed over his head, right in between his widespread arms, straight into the hands of Muscles McGee.

"Nice pass!" he calls, moving forward for a layup.

The buzzer sounds, signaling the end of the first quarter. The muscled one's layup made the score an even 16-16. Takao had been hoping they'd be ending on a lead. Stupid of him, to fall for Akashi's feints and ignore the muscled one's prime position. Even so...that had been a momentary lapse of judgement. So why...?

"The first quarter's over!"

"The king and the emperor...neither one's budging!"

Takao clicks his tongue at himself, straightening as he glances towards Akashi's retreating back. What's going on? It's true that he's good...he's definitely skilled, and his field of vision is amazing. I have to say he's perfect as a point guard. But the skill difference isn't so great that I can't put up a fight. Is this really the captain of the Generation of Miracles, Akashi Seijūrō?

Takao follows his teammates back to the bench, murmuring a low "thanks," to the person who hands him a bottle of water. He had played against Akashi in middle school. He was formidable back then. What's the deal with this?

"It's definitely not like Akashi's cutting corners." Takao startles, dragging his eyes away from Rakuzan's bench to stare at his coach. It's as if he had read Takao's mind. "How he's playing reminds me a lot of shogi. He's in thee starting movements, just testing the waters...and if the game state is going to move...yes, it should be soon. So let's set something up first."

"The break is over! Starting the second quarter!"

Takao straightens, stretching out his arms and legs. Shin-chan walks a little ways ahead, calling out to Akashi before he steps out onto court. "Don't take us lightly, Akashi. You're taking it pretty easy, testing the waters all first quarter. You surely can't be thinking you can win without using your Eye?"

"I'm not taking you guys lightly, Shintaro." Akashi's eyes flicker, and his lips pull up into a slight smile. "You could say I'm being as cautious as I can, if that makes you feel better. I can't play my trump card so easily. However, at this rate, the game might be over without me having to."

Shin-chan's eyes narrow. "What did you say?"

Akashi doesn't answer as he turns and makes his way over to his position, the whistle blowing shortly afterwards.

Takao starts off with the ball, eyes flickering between Shin-chan and Akashi, considering. The Eye? What's that? Takao doesn't remember that from the last time they had played. Maybe Akashi didn't have it back then?

Or maybe he hadn't needed it to utterly slaughter Takao's old middle school team.

Tajao pulls back sharply, still dribbling as he stares at the events unfolding before his eyes.

"They're double-teaming Midorima!"

Shin-chan shifts on his feet, trying to break free, but neither of his marks are letting up. He's having a hard time? As expected from Rakuzan. Just their training in defense is like nothing else! I'll bet they're on par with Yosen...

Takao chuckles. "Maa, that's what I though would happen anyways. He passes directly parallel to Akashi, who follows the ball with his eyes. Miyaji-senpai catches the ball, immediately guarded by the blonde who excitedly explains, "Alright, one-on-one! Bring it!"

Miyaji-senpai laughs mockingly, a vein throbbing in his cheek. "What are your eyes twinkling for, huh?"

He drives forward, managing to bypass the blonde with a crossover. He passes the ball to Otsubo-senpai, who dunks the ball in.

"All right!" Miyaji-senpai cheers, violently high-fiving Otsubo-senpai.

"What's with being passed so easy, huh?" the muscled one grumbles, glaring at the blonde, who laughs somewhat sheepishly.

"Sorry, sorry!"

"Come on..." the pretty boy laments, hand popped up on his hip. "You're not asleep, are you? Get a grip!"

"Sorry, sorry!"

"Kotaro." The blonde (who must be Hayama, then) flinches, whirling around to face Akashi.

"I'll totally get payback! Please don't get mad, Akashi!"

"Fine." Akashi's voice is monotone, face flat as he delivers the crushing words. "If you're not up to it, I'll sub you out."

"I'm fine!" Hayama laughs, not one bit bothered by the blatant threat. "I won't lose to anyone when it comes to dribbling!"

As if to emphasize the bold words, Akashi passes the ball to Hayama on the next play. Miyaji-senpai rushes up to block Hayama.

"Oh, it's Hayama!"

"He's going right to payback?"

"Huh?" Miyaji-senpai grins. "Like I'd let you do that!"

"No, I'm gonna do it.' There's a pause before his grin widens, teeth glinting. "I guess three is enough?"

Before Takao can even wonder what that means, a shock ripples throughout the entire stadium, a tiny earthquake whose epicenter is the spot where the ball Hayama had bounced landed. Dribbling harder makes the ball faster and harder to steal, but Takao's never seen anything like this...can it even be called dribbling anymore?

"What I said earlier..." Takao's ears strain to catch the sound of Akashi's soft voice as he talks to Shin-chan, "If it was hard to understand, I'll say it again."

Another large bang draws Takao's attention back to the two players, and in between one blink and another, Hayama has driven past Miyaji-senpai, who can't even twitch a finger in response.

"It's not worth directly doing something. That's all there is to it."

Akashi, you bastard.

"He got by!"

"What an amazing dribble!"

"Dammnit!" Kimura-senpai jumps to intercept Hayama's run for a layup, but Hayama curls down hand lifting up behind his head. It's a double clutch. The ball goes in.

"It's in!"

"Brilliant! He got past two of Shutoku's defenses!"

Takao glances towards Miyaji-senpai. The usually spirited third year is staring down at the ground, hands clenched into fists at his side. A sort of empty devastation paints itself scross his face, and Otsubo-senpai's encouragement does nothing to dispel the self-directed anger and bitterness. He must've seen it, then-the meaning of "three."

Hayama had been dribbling that ball with only three fingers. A dribble of that power and magnitude was pulled off by only three fingers. It must devastate Miyaji-senpai, to know that Hayama's dribble can be upped two more notches.

Miyaji-senpai can't do anything under Hayama's relentless attacks. His dribbles shake the floors, and Takao's starting to feel a little nauseated. By five minutes into the second quarter, the score is 28-32 in Rakuzan's favor. A six-point gap created within five minutes. Not to mention Miyaji-senpai's continuously diminishing confidence, the tightening defenses that're making it harder and harder to get passes to Sgin-chan, who's the only reason why they've even been able to score, and the overall flagging team morale.

Things aren't looking good.

Everything's different. It's not just Miyaji-senpai...even Otsubo-senpai is losing when it comes to power. Kimura-senpai is struggling even with the double team on Shin-chan making things easier. Meanwhile, Akashi hasn't done anything yet...just passed to an open position...and even then, we can barely keep up!

Takao takes a shuddering breath, blinking the sweat out of his eyes. Bastards, the whole lot of them.

What can he do to make this situation better?

Mibuchi's eyelashes scare me.

Yeah. Peace, see ya next time, hope you liked it!

Never (LivingDaLife)